Quick Facts on Tabitha

Characteristics of Tabitha

Mystical

Wise

Eccentric

Intuitive

Imaginative

Philosophical

Solitary

Etymology & Historical Origin - Tabitha

Tabitha is a name borne from the Bible (Acts 9:36-42). It’s a name of ancient Aramaic origin and means “gazelle”. A gazelle, of course, is an animal native to the plains of Africa and Asia – a small, fast and very graceful antelope with long horns and a black face. The Greeks translated the name to Dorcas which means the same thing (gazelle): “Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas.” (Acts 9:36). The passage goes on to describe Tabitha: “She was full of good works and acts of charity.” In the story, Tabitha becomes ill and dies, and so her grieving neighbors send for Saint Peter who they hear is near Joppa. Peter went to Tabitha’s corpse, knelt down and prayed, and miraculously restored her to life: “Tabitha arise” said Peter. “And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up.” (Acts 9:40-41). The Puritans and other dissenting Protestant sects took up the name Tabitha after the Reformation in the 17th century. Lesser known characters and disciples from the Bible became popular name choices for the religiously austere Puritans – to them naming their daughter Tabitha, for instance, was a display of modesty. However, Tabitha never gained any widespread popularity until the popular 1960s sitcom “Bewitched” aired (1964-1972); the central character and good-witch Samantha gave birth to her daughter Tabitha Stephens in the second season.

Popularity of the Name Tabitha

Tabitha is a name which showed up sporadically on the American charts in the 19th century. We’re guessing it’s been around since the days of colonization (thanks to the Puritans); however, by the 20th century, Tabitha fell off the charts altogether and off the American radar completely. The name magically reappeared on the female naming charts in 1966 when the adorable nose-twitching baby Tabitha was introduced on the television show “Bewitched”. Obviously the popular sitcom had a lot to do with Tabitha’s success, but the name maintained upwards momentum on the charts for several years even after the show had been cancelled (although the show remained alive and well in syndication). As a result, Tabitha is very closely associated with good-witch magic, but eventually the references to “Bewitched” will fade (the show is over 40 years old now!). Tabitha reached her highest point on the American charts in 1978 at position #126; the name also was a high-achiever for most of the 1980s. However, from the mid-1990s onward, Tabitha reversed her course on the naming charts and started her descent down to much lower levels of usage. Tabitha will always have a little magical spirit thanks to “Bewitched”, but it’s also strongly associated with Tabby cats (many people name their Tabby female felines Tabitha) for obvious reasons. Tabitha Twitchit is the mother cat to Tom Kitten and his siblings in Beatrix Potter’s “The Tale of Tom Kitten” further cementing Tabitha’s kitty connections. Tabitha is really a name that has a lot going on. It’s piously Biblical, it’s mischievously magical and it’s playfully kittenish. It’s also graceful like the “gazelle” (oh, and did we mention? It’s a hec of a lot better than Dorcas!). This is definitely a name that grows on you: off-beat, exotic, quaintly charming, otherworldly and currently underused. Tabby is an oft-used nickname for Tabitha.

Popularity of the Girl Name Tabitha

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Cultural References to the Baby Name - Tabitha

Literary Characters of the Baby Name Tabitha

Tabitha Twitchit (The Tale of Tom Kitten) Tabitha Twitchit is the shrewd shopkeeper cat and the solicitous mother of the three little kittens, Moppet, Mittens and Tom Kitten, in Beatrix Potter’s children’s series of the early twentieth century. Ever the proud Mama, Tabitha is prone to dressing her children elaborately when company is coming, and admonishing them to walk on their hind legs and stay out of dirt and mischief. For these three little imps, this is an impossible chore. Naturally, they find themselves in all kinds of predicaments in their efforts to stay clean, with hilarious results. Tabitha is not above punishing them, sending them off to their rooms without tea, for instance. When the farm is overrun by rats, Tabitha locks the kittens in a cupboard to keep them out of harm’s way, but of course, Tom Kitten finds a way to get into trouble anyway. All always ends well, though, with Mother Tabitha and her children safe and snug by the fireplace. As there does not seem to be a Mr. Twitchit, it is just as well that Tabitha is a sharp businesswoman as well as a good mother – she runs her shop with an iron fist and never extends credit. When her rival shopkeepers go out of business for that very reason, our Ms. Tabitha meets the demand by increasing her prices. In turn, she can keep her children in the fancy clothes they are so fond of getting dirty. Those little kittens are in good paws, indeed!

Popular Songs on Tabitha

Tabitha - We cannot find any popular or well-known songs featuring the name Tabitha.

Children's Books on the Baby Name Tabitha

How Sleep Found Tabitha (Maggie De Vries) - Snug in her bed, Tabitha waits and searches and listens for sleep. Her bed is cozy. Her room is dark and quiet. Her favorite things surround her. She should be able to drift off to sleep with no trouble, but something is missing. What could it be? Recommended for ages 3-6.

Tabitha (A. N. Wilson) - Five episodes in the lives of Pufftail, father of many cats, his favorite daughter Tabitha the gray tabby, and the other cats of their neighborhood. Recommended for ages 7-10.

Tabitha's Terrifically Tough Tooth (Charlotte Middleton) - Tabitha has a loose tooth. Her dad says that soon she'll get a visit from the Tooth Fairy, but there's just one problem. Her tooth won't budge any farther. She has tried everything to make it come out, from bouncing on a trampoline to putting on music and dancing around the room. But it seems that nothing will dislodge her terrifically tough tooth. This is a warm and witty story that will make children smile a big toothy (or toothless!) grin as they identify with this familiar rite of passage. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Tabitha's Travels: A Family Story for Advent (Arnold Ytreeide) - Curious, competent, and courageous Tabitha is the daughter of a shepherd who is taking his family on caravan to his birthplace. Along the way, she meets and becomes friends with Jotham and Bartholomew, watches as Romans take her father prisoner, spends time with Zechariah and Elizabeth, helps Mary and Joseph just before Christ's birth, and ends her travels at the stable in Bethlehem. Recommended for ages 8-12.

Tabitha: The Fabulous Flying Feline (Carol Ann Timmel) - When her cage opens accidentally during a flight to California, Tabitha the cat wanders off and becomes lost. Based on a true story about the author's pet cat. Recommended for ages 4-8.

The Tale of Tom Kitten (Beatrix Potter) - The Tale of Tom Kitten is a children's book, written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. It was released by Frederick Warne & Co. in September 1907. The tale is about manners and how children react to them. Tabitha Twitchit, a cat, invites friends for tea. She washes and dresses her three kittens for the party, but within moments the kittens have soiled and lost their clothes while scampering about the garden. Tabitha is "affronted". She sends the kittens to bed, and tells her friends the kittens have the measles. Once the tea party is underway however, its "dignity and repose" are disturbed by the kittens romping overhead and leaving a bedroom in disorder. Recommended for ages 3-7.

Tickles Tabitha's Cancer-tankerous Mommy (Amelia Frahm) - Tickles Tabitha's Cancer-tankerous Mommy was written, published and marketed by a cancer survivor who identified intimately with her audience -other survivors- and understood their need for an honest, and reality based children's book about surviving cancer. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Famous People Named Tabitha

Famous People Named Tabitha - Tabitha Soren (journalist); Tabitha King (writer/wife of Stephen King)

Children of Famous People Named Tabitha

Famous People Who Named Their Daughter Tabitha - Sarah Jessica Parker (actress); Matthew Broderick (actor)

Tabitha - Girl Baby Name - Historic Figures

Tabitha - We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Tabitha.

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Personality of the Girl Name Tabitha

The number Seven personality is deeply mystical and highly in tune with their spirituality. They operate on a different wavelength than the average joe. Spending time alone comes easily to Sevens, as it gives them time to contemplate philosophical, religious and spiritual ideas in an effort to find "real truth". Sevens are wise, but often exude mystery as if they are tapped into something the rest of us don't understand. They love the outdoors and are fed by nature. Sevens are constantly seeking to understand human nature, our place in the universe, and the mystery of life in general. This makes them quite artistic and poetic, but they are also keen observers with high intellect - so they are equally scientific-minded. Sevens are charitable and care deeply about the human condition.